Walking down the hall, Ariel lightly turned his head to the right, to look trough the window. Behind it, he could see a beautiful backyard filled with all kind of plants, flowers and even some harmless wild life, which made this scene, so perfect and lively. This was Ariel’s favorite place to come to, after he was able to leave his room, and would always visit it at least once a day, as it always makes him relaxed and happy being there.

Unfortunately, his mood quickly dissipated when he taught about how he has to have dinner with his family. He cares deeply about his mother, but the other two, are people that he dislikes to the very bone.

They are his brother James, as well as his father, whose name he found out just recently, Mark Whitestone. His father always was indifferent to him, and even to his brother, to some degree, but the reason he actually dislikes him, was because of how he carries himself, in other words, he was too arrogant. Looking down on everyone he meets, who is not of noble birth.

Still, in all honesty his father was someone Ariel could deal with, but James, was a completely different matter. Since he started, his bullying tendencies have been growing only stronger and, not any weaker. Recently it started to become less physical, and more verbal. Ariel also knows the reason why.

The reason was, that James has fallen in love with Ariel‘s fiancée, Erna Alasia. Ariel himself has not seen her in his life, but heard that even being a 5 year old girl, she was a stunningly cute. On top of that, she seems to be a double elemental mage of wind and light, furthermore she was talented in swordsmanship as well. This has made everyone wild at the time, when they found out about it.

They haven‘t met yet, since Ariel was out of his room only for a short while, but he has already hear plenty about her. The place, his brother met Erna, was actually in a party for congratulating the start of her training, which no one can disturb and will make it hard for them to meet in a long time.

Going on another subject, Erna‘s father seems to be an Arch Duke, when Ariel heard this, he used the moment to inquire what title, did they‘re family hold. Like he found out, that Whitestone, is a Duke household of Gelath Kingdom, which is at the very south of the central continent, he was told that the only reason his father was able to arrange a marriage between him and Erna, is because he was friends with the Arch Duke, and also the Arch Duke had a great desire for uniting their two family‘s by marriage at the same time.

Anyway, back to his brother, James is very talented in swordsmanship, and also has light magic affinity fit for transforming into the holy affinity. It seems like his father was planning on training him into a holy knight of the church.

Ariel was already told that his body was too weak to practice swordsmanship, and he was told that they checked for light affinity in his body when he was born, yet didn’t find any. Hearing this Ariel asked about, if he had other affinities. The answer he got, is that Whitestone bloodline has a specific constitution, they had a chance to be born with powerful bodies and light affinity, but there has not been a single other element mage in their entire history.

Finishing his line of taught Ariel has already reached the dinning room’s door. After his coming was proclaimed by the servants he walked into the lavish dinning room with a giant table full of food in the middle.

While coming in he could see that his whole family was already there, his father was at the end of the table dressed in green, noble like clothes, James was on his right clothed in ridiculous blue and red garments and his mother was on the left wearing a suiting sky blue dress.

Ariel respectfully came near the table and sat next to his mother. “It seems you finally came.” His father said with the same indifferent look on his face. “Yes, it took some time getting here.” Ariel answered. “I hope you’re trip to the library was an eventful one” After saying this, his father didn’t speak another word before starting to eat.

“Here Sweety, have some food” His mother said having a bright smile on her face. “Thank you mother” Ariel gratefully took the plate, before quickly starting to eat as fast as possible, so he could be done with it.

However, it didn’t seem like it would end so easily today. Before he could leave after eating his fill, his father spoke again. “James has great talent in fighting and magic, when he is fourteen he should easily be able to get into The Blue Sky Academy. Ariel you are incapable of fighting so you have to work hard on studying to get into the academy as well.”

Hearing this Ariel felt some puzzlement for this unknown place. “I understand father, but I am not clear about what The Blue Sky Academy is.” He spoke, while trying to remember anything about it.

Thankfully, his mother answered without beating around the bush. “The Blue Sky Academy is a school on neutral grounds, where they teach warriors, mages and also officials. Officials might be the least important there, but it is still better than nothing Sweety.” Ariel quickly understood, generally it is like a place of learning and practice for warriors and mages, while officials are just some side students that were allowed in just to earn some income.

Right at that moment Ariel heard the annoying voice that belonged to his brother. “This failure probably won’t be able to even get into the officials class.” He raised his head and looked at the arrogant brat on the other side of the table. It would be a lie if he said that he wasn’t angry, but he has long since learned to stay calm under these situations.

Also he could satisfy himself thinking in his mind about his brother’s jealousy for his more handsome looks, or how he once went to they’re father to ask for breakage in the engagement, between Arial and Erna and to instead engage her to him. However they’re father said at that time, that promises must never be broken, so James wish was refused.

Before having to listen to more of James bullshit, Ariel stood up and after excusing himself, left the dinning room. In the back, he heard his mother scolding James in an angry tone, which made Ariel’s heart slightly warm.

With Derek in tow he raced to go out to the yard, in hopes of starting his practice for magic. Walking out into the courtyard, he found a big tree to sit under and practice, while Derek was left at the door to wait for him, as he told him to do.

After sitting down in a comfortable position, he held out his hand, and once again, like in the library, tried to gather Mana into it, but this time only into a single one. When he finished guiding it, in a single moment, he had his Mana burst out from his hand, this time in much greater quantity.

Unlike last time, it had more visible results. His entire hand was covered in frost, which unknowingly brought a small smile to his cold face. He has always dreamed of wielding magic, and now it is right there, in his hands. The only other time he had such an expression, was when thinking about the care shown by his mother for him, although even now he doesn’t notice his changes.

“I’m finally able to use magic, soon I will show that bastard, but it is still not the time for it” Ariel always had a certain pride to him, and who ever tried to touch it always regretted it. However, what is important right now, is that Ariel has finally moved up further in his path, and found a goal to reach for.

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If you want to read further, visit https://verathragna.wordpress.com/ I will always have an extra chapter there